You are here:

Asthma Attack

Topic Overview

An
asthma attack (also called an acute asthma episode,
flare-up, or exacerbation) is a sudden increase in the symptoms of asthma,
including:

Rapid, shallow, and difficult
breathing.

Feeling that you cannot take a deep breath (chest
tightness). Children with chest tightness may complain of a
stomachache.

Whistling noises when breathing
(wheezing).

Coughing.

The symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how much
the airflow to the lungs is reduced. Attacks can be brief (about an hour) or
last for several days. They may be seasonal (similar to hay fever) or occur
during any season.

Asthma symptoms may start suddenly or up to several hours after you
or your child has been exposed to triggers, such as tobacco smoke or
animal dander. In some cases (such as with asthma that
happens during your job), symptoms may not occur until 4 to 12 hours after
contact. Although severe attacks may seem to occur suddenly, they usually occur
after several days of increasing symptoms.

Asthma attacks are caused by:

Long-term (chronic)
inflammation in the tubes that carry air to the lungs
(bronchial tubes). Inflammation leads to overreaction
(hyperresponsiveness) of the tubes to triggers.

Tightening of the
smooth muscles in the bronchial tubes, causing the airways to become smaller.
This reduces airflow in and out of the lungs.

Extra
mucus produced by the mucous glands in the bronchial
tubes. This can occur in some people who have asthma and can interfere with
airflow.

Although attacks can be serious, they can usually be treated at home.
Many people have an
asthma action plan, which is a written plan that tells
you what medicine you need to use, based on the severity of the attack, and
when you should call a doctor or seek emergency treatment. You and
your doctor create the action plan.

The best strategy for avoiding and treating asthma attacks is being
able to recognize an attack and know what to do. When creating an asthma action
plan, be sure to talk to your doctor about:

Asthma triggers. The triggers are substances
(such as pollen or cigarette smoke) that can cause an attack. Avoiding triggers
can help decrease the risk of an attack and reduce its severity.

Asthma symptoms. These generally include a drop in peak expiratory
flow (PEF) and increased and more severe coughing, wheezing, shortness of
breath, and tightness in the chest. The symptoms may vary between
people.

The quick-relief medicines you or your child needs to
take and how to take them.

How to evaluate whether the quick-relief
medicines are working.

When emergency care is needed. If the
person with asthma has a large drop in PEF, finds that quick-relief medicines
are not working, or notices that the skin has a bluish color, he or she may
need emergency care. Your doctor will help determine what symptoms may mean an emergency.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.